The Challenge: Build Pipeline of Skilled Technical Workers
Clean energy and water innovation employers need a talented pool of young workers with technical backgrounds and hands-on experience.
About the Technical Trades Work and Learning Program
The Technical Trades Work and Learning Program enhances the talent pipeline for Massachusetts clean energy companies by placing skilled students from vocational high schools, After Dark programs and CTI programs in paid clean energy work experiences during the academic year and into the following summer. Employers select eligible interns and MassCEC reimburses their wages. Additionally, employers may have access to co-op coordinators to assist with intern recruitment.
The Technical Trades program empowers clean energy employers to mentor students from diverse backgrounds, addressing the need for greater diversity in our clean energy workforce.
Jump to Online Workforce Portal
Program Schedule
The Technical Trades Work and Learning Program operates on an annual schedule tied to the academic year.
Funding is allocated on a first-come/first-served basis until it runs out.
Process Step |
Timing |
---|---|
Open enrollment and intern selection begins |
October 28, 2024 |
Submission of offer letters |
Ongoing |
2024 - 2025 session starts |
October 28, 2024 |
2024 - 2025 session ends |
August 21, 2025 |
Who's Eligible
Employers must be clean energy and water innovation companies registered to do business in Massachusetts, with at least one office located in the Commonwealth.
For the purposes of this program, MassCEC defines a “clean energy employer” as “an employer engaged in whole or in part in goods and services, or advanced and applied technologies that significantly reduce or eliminate the use of energy from non-renewable sources, including, but not limited to: energy efficiency; demand response; energy conservation and those technologies powered in whole or in part by the sun, wind, water, biomass, alcohol, wood, fuel cells, any renewable, non-depletable or recyclable fuel.” Note that participating students must be rising seniors in good standing at a vocational or technical high school in Massachusetts or be participating in an After Dark program or a CTI program.
For full Program details, please refer to the Technical Trades Program Manual.
Not an employer? Go to Technical Trades Student Info
Apply
Instructions
Create an employer account in the MassCEC Workforce Portal here.
- Fill out the company submission.
- Await approval of your account from MassCEC.
Identify candidates.
- Access the student dashboard to review candidates and/or connect with Vocational High School Co-Op Coordinators in your area to identify candidates.
- If you know candidates who are not yet in the student database, ask them to submit intern applications here. Every candidate must have a profile on the internship portal to participate in the program.
Check candidate eligibility.
- On the Internship Portal’s student dashboard, click on “eligibility check” for the student(s) you'd like to hire.
- Once MassCEC has confirmed eligibility, you will receive an automated email letting you know that the intern has been approved and prompting you to submit a signed offer letter.
Submit co-signed offer letter.
- Provide your selected student with an offer letter that, at a minimum, states their name, the job title, expected date range to be worked, and hourly wage.
- Obtain signatures on the offer letter. For vocational and After Dark students, they will need the signature of their co-op coordinator on the offer letter. CTI students do not need a coordinator to sign. Any student who is under 18 and does not have access to a coordinator will need a parent or guardian signature.
- Submit the co-signed offer letter to internships@masscec.com to reserve funding. After funding has been reserved for the intern, you will receive an email confirmation.
Reimbursement
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Sign and return your award letter.
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After completion of the internship, submit your Reimbursement Package to internships@masscec.com. You must submit your fully completed reimbursement package before the session deadline.
Application Materials
FAQs
Partner Schools and Programs
Use this map to explore programs near your company. Please note that only "Chapter 74" program students are approved to participate in MassCEC's Technical Trades Work and Learning Program.
Additional Funding Opportunities
Clean Energy Internship Program for Employers
$4,320/intern for Fall or Spring session; $8,640/intern for Summer session
Equity Workforce Planning and Capacity Grants
$50,000 for Planning; $150,000 for Capacity
May 19, 2025
Priority Deadlines:
- 1st Priority Deadline: Dec 6, 2024
- 2nd Priority Deadline: Feb 28, 2025
EmPower Massachusetts
- $150,000 (Implementation)
- $25,000 (in some cases up to $50,000) (Innovation and Capacity Building)
April 3, 2025